I have always depended on exiting the cab and passing my luggage to the many waiting porters. It then (hopefully) reappears in my room before dinner. This last cruise I walked down the hall to the luggage staging area near my room and pointed out my luggage and they let me take it to my room. Had I not done this it would have become the bottom of the stack and probably showed up after we all went to dinner in our sweaty traveling clothes. Some people we met said they always bring their own luggage aboard. Silly question: Can I bring my own bags aboard? I would like to get right to the business of stowing my gear, and wouldn't even mind babysitting the bags if the room is not ready. Anyone done this?

i have been on 3 crusies and not once has our luggage turned up (to our room), i am getting good at wandering the corridors and tracking our luggage down, on our last trip i tried to hold onto our bags to be told in to uncertin terms "NO" something about sniffer dogs and x-ray machines

You can fit quite a bit of clothes in the carry on roll bags. Those will fit through the security X-ray at check-in. Some of the larger bags will not fit and need to be checked. You should be able to put something to wear to dinner in your carry on bag.

A oouple of years ago it was a free for all with the luggage. As they were piling it up people were going through it grabbing their luggage. We then did the same thing because I was worried that someone would pick up mine by mistake. Last year they didn't do it the same way. They were bring it up where it's off limits to the passengers & ours was there in a timely manner. I always bring with me a carry on which includes everything I need to change & get ready for dinner. It works out quite well.